How To Write an Email Asking for an Internship

It can be stressful to try to line up an internship because so many students and new graduates are looking for the same positions.

It’s not impossible though, especially if you personalize your applications.

Regardless of your reasons for seeking an internship position, this guide will help you from start to finish to create a successful internship request email.

What is an email asking for an internship?

An email asking for an internship is a formal message sent to a hiring manager or recruiter to express your interest in an internship position at their company.

The email should be clear, concise, and professional, and it should highlight your qualifications and why you're a good fit for the role.

Here are some tips for writing an email asking for an internship:

• Address the email to a specific person. If you know the name of the hiring manager or recruiter for the internship you're interested in, address the email to them directly. If you don't know their name, you can address the email to "Hiring Manager" or "Recruiter."

• State the purpose of your email in the first sentence. Let the reader know that you're writing to express your interest in an internship position at their company.

• Introduce yourself and highlight your qualifications. Briefly describe your academic background, relevant skills, and any work experience you have.

• Explain why you're interested in the internship and the company. What specifically about the internship and/or company interests you? What do you hope to learn and gain from the experience?

• Make a call to action. Let the reader know what you're asking for. Are you asking them to schedule an interview? Review your resume? Consider you for an open internship position?

• Proofread your email carefully. Make sure there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

Internship email templates

Here are some internship email templates that you can use:

Template 1 (Cold email)

Hi [Hiring Manager name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your name] and I am a [year] at [University name], majoring in [Major]. I am writing to express my interest in any internship opportunities that may be available at [Company name].

I have been following [Company name] for some time now and I am very impressed with your work in the [Industry] industry. I am particularly interested in [Specific area or department] and I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from your team.

I have attached my resume for your review. As you can see, I have a strong academic record and I am proficient in a variety of skills that would be relevant to an internship position at [Company name]. I am also a highly motivated and eager learner.

I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Template 2 (Email to a referral)

Hi [Hiring Manager name],
I am writing to express my interest in the [Internship position] at [Company name]. I was referred to you by [Referrer name], who is a [Relationship to referrer].

I am a [year] at [University name], majoring in [Major]. I have a strong academic record and I am proficient in a variety of skills that would be relevant to the internship position, including [List of relevant skills]. I am also a highly motivated and eager learner.

I have attached my resume for your review. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Template 3 (Follow-up email)

Hi [Hiring Manager name],
I hope this email finds you well.

I am writing to follow up on my previous email regarding the [Internship position] at [Company name]. I sent you my resume on [Date] and I am very interested in learning more about the internship and the company.

I understand that you are very busy, but I would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to review my resume and let me know if you have any questions or if you would be interested in scheduling an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

You can use these templates as a starting point, but be sure to tailor them to each specific internship that you apply for.

Highlight your most relevant skills and experience, and explain why you are interested in the internship and the company.

Proofread your email carefully before sending it, and make sure that there are no errors in grammar or spelling.

Tips for pursuing internships

Here are some tips for pursuing internships:

Start early

The best internships fill up quickly, so it's important to start your search early. Begin by identifying the companies and industries that you're interested in. Then, start looking for internship opportunities on company websites, job boards, and through your school's career center.

Tailor your resume and cover letter

Take the time to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to each specific internship. Be sure to explain why you're interested in the internship and the company, and what you hope to learn and gain from the experience.

Practice your interviewing skills

Internship interviews can be competitive, so it's important to be prepared. Practice answering common interview questions and be able to articulate your skills, experience, and career goals.

Network with people in your field

Talk to friends, family, professors, and alumni to see if they know of any internship opportunities. You can also attend industry events and connect with people on professional networking sites.

Follow up after you apply

After you submit your resume and cover letter, send a thank-you note to the hiring manager. You can also follow up a week or two later to check on the status of your application.

Additional tips

Here are some additional tips for pursuing internships

• Be flexible with your start and end dates. If you're able to start your internship earlier or later than the traditional start and end dates, you'll have more options to choose from.
• Be willing to relocate. If you're serious about getting an internship, be willing to relocate to another city or state.
• Consider unpaid internships. While unpaid internships aren't ideal, they can be a great way to gain experience and make connections in your field.
• Don't give up. The internship search can be tough, but it's important to keep trying. The more internships you apply for, the better your chances of getting one.

Internships are a great way to gain real-world experience, learn new skills, and network with professionals in your field.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of landing an internship that is a good fit for you.

How to write an email asking for an internship

The email structure

You should approach your internship request email like any other professional email, meaning that you should follow rules of formatting so your request is smooth and easy to understand.

Think about a catchy subject line to make your message stand out from the hundreds of others the hiring manager might receive.

Then, put a formal salutation, meaning figure out the person’s proper name and use it.

So many people don’t put direct contact and that’s a sure way to lose their interest.

In your opening paragraph, introduce yourself and how you think you could benefit the company.

Speak briefly about your education, background, and similar internships that could give you relevant experience for this position.

In the middle of the email, describe more about how you heard of the company, what you love about them, and ways you could benefit the company.

Finish your email by explaining how much you like the company and your proposed next steps, such as setting up a call to discuss opportunities.

Finish with a professional sign off, then your name and signature. Be sure to include your phone number.

Research beforehand

You want to do some research before you even start writing the message.

Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and read what you can about the company online.

As per Rob Thompson, a career writer at Paper Fellows and Research Paper Writing,

“you also need to figure out who the hiring manager is so you can properly address your email.
It goes you’ve gone above and beyond most other applicants.”

Be personal

You have to spend a bit of time personalizing each email, even if you’re sending off a lot of similar ones.

Hiring managers can see when you’ve used a generic template and it won’t score you points.

If you have a point of interest in common with the contact, use that to your advantage.

This will engage the hiring manager and encourage them to read more.

Discuss your skills

You’ll want to highlight the skills you have that will benefit the organization.

Since you’re an intern, you probably won’t have lots of experience in the industry, but you can outline projects you’ve worked on in the past that are relevant.

There are also soft skills and transferable skills, like communication, time management, and problem-solving.

Use examples to show you’re not just using buzzwords but you’ve used these skills.

Attach CV and Portfolio

Before you send, you should attach your CV and portfolio, if you have one.

According to Dean Hood, an HR manager at Essayroo and Masters Writing Service, “you should be showing the hiring manager why they need to hire you. You want them to see that you’re prepared, you know what you’re applying to, and you have a really good work ethic.”

Review and edit

Before you press send, you need to check your email for spelling mistakes.

It’s a professional email, so you want to make it look polished and clean.

The biggest chance of ruining your opportunity is through a badly written or typo-filled request.

Ask a friend or family member to review it too, and don’t be afraid to use online tools for this important step.

They will edit and proofread your email for style, grammar, flow, and consistency.

Follow up if required

It doesn’t hurt to give them a little nudge and follow up to get noticed.

If you haven’t head back in a while from the hiring team, don’t hesitate to reach out to them again, as it can’t hurt.

In reality, persistence can pay off and show how interested you are in the position and that you’re a go-getter.

Be sure not to follow up too soon though or overdo it, as you risk annoying the hiring manager.

If you haven’t heard back after a week, you can have a calendar reminder to send a follow-up note.

You can also just pick up the phone and give them a call to see if they’d prefer to discuss the position over the phone.

It’s often a lot easier to be friendly and approachable over the phone than by email.

Now you know how to ask for an internship by email, it’s time to get out there and find the positions that are right for you. There’s no time like the present!

Author's Bio: Aimee Laurence, a career editor with
Thesis Writing Service and Law Essay Help, is passionate about helping others achieve their career goals. She focuses on personal development research and writing and enjoys finding new ways to connect prospective employees with the right company for them. Aimee is also a tutor for College Paper.